Melbourne Park's East Entrance Redevelopment To Feature Bars, Restaurants, Public Spaces

A "new eastern entrance to Melbourne Park" featuring bars, restaurants and public spaces is the latest revamp of the tennis and entertainment precinct, according to Peter Rolfe of the HERALD SUN. A "futuristic pod" will be the centerpiece of the upgrade on the Richmond side of Rod Laver Arena, to be unveiled in time for the 2019 Australian Open. It will "house diners and bars, dressing rooms for athletes and performers, a crèche, transport facilities, a beauty salon and shops." A smaller pod "will be open to the public in time for next year’s Open, featuring bars, eateries and easier access around a new southern concourse to help fans navigate the site." Steps that previously led to center court and 20-year-old indoor courts between Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena have "recently been demolished to make way for the development." The work "forms part" of the A$338M ($255M) stage two redevelopment of Melbourne Park (HERALD SUN, 4/6).